Stalker sent package and plays he wrote to ex

Dundee Sheriff Court

Published:12:55Monday 31 October 2016

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A stalker in Fife who wrote a play about his “frightened” ex and sent it to her in a package aimed at “rekindling their relationship through her love of poetry and music” was ordered to pay compensation.

Alan Corise, from Cupar, also sent Karen MacPherson a book of poems he had written and dedicated to her as well as the script idea in the package with the hope of restarting the relationship, which ended last year.

But instead, Miss MacPherson was left “frightened and distressed” after receiving it.

Corise (54) then followed that up by repeatedly attempting to make contact with her through another woman in an attempt to get a response.

That was despite an incident last December in which it was “made clear” to him that she wanted nothing to do with him.

Corise’s lawyer said the construction engineer did not want to pay compensation to his ex because of a dispute over the sale of the couple’s former home - and that handing money to her would “add insult to injury”.

But a sheriff ordered Corsie to pay Miss MacPherson £800 for his “persistent” campaign. He was sentenced today (October 31) after being found guilty at a trial at Dundee Sheriff Court earlier this month.

Douglas Williams, Corise’s solicitor, said: “He thought the best way to rekindle this relationship was through her love of poetry and music.

“There was nothing in what he did in terms of there being anything sinister about it.

“He has taken stapes to deal with what may haven been obsessive, compulsive behaviour. He now appreciates that the relationship is over, and that’s it.”

As well as the financial penalty, Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC, imposed a non-harassment order – banning Corise from contacting her for two years.

Sheriff Drummond said: “She said she was frightened when she got the package.

“These offences are offences because fear or alarm was caused to an individual. I do think in that situation, compensation is an appropriate disposal.